MGCCC heads to ICC for quarterfinals

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast heads to Fulton a day later than planned, but the Bulldogs will be looking for a quarterfinal victory in the MACJC playoffs against Itawamba.

Torrential rains Monday pushed the game back to Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. for the second meeting between the teams this season. The winner of this one advances to the MACJC semifinals on Saturday in Raymond.

Gulf Coast (11-6) beat Itawamba (10-4) on Sept. 14 up in Fulton. The score was 3-1, but that's deceiving according to Gulf Coast coach Chris Handy.

"It's going to be a close game," he said. "It's gonna be literally who plays better. I don't feel we can play poorly and win, and I don't think they believe they can play poorly and win. Even though the result went our way the first time, it was an even game. This game will be even as well. We're going to have to execute to win the game."

Christian Inchima (Fr., St. Edmond Campion/Brampton Ontario) scored twice, and Cisco Thomas (So., Meadowvale Secondary/Mississauga, Ontario) had a goal and an assist. Isaiah Gore (Fr., Laurel/Laurel) stopped seven of eight shots he faced.

The Bulldogs had a three-game win streak snapped on Thursday in a 4-0 loss at No. 5 LSU Eunice. But Gulf Coast swept all five North Division opponents this season.

There's not a big secret as to what the Bulldogs need to do to be successful in the postseason.

"It's probably the same recipe as it's been all year, defend well and finish the opportunities that are given to us," Handy said. "It's important that we score first. We play better from ahead than we do from behind. We focus a lot on the defensive end because we feel like that if we can defend well in the midfield, we'll create enough opportunities to win the game."

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